Post by brianjenkins on Jan 28, 2019 9:56:59 GMT -5

I have a Craftsman snowblower with an MTD 357cc engine I picked up used. It looks brand new, and has the typical surging when stale gas was left in it.

Long story short, I've taken the carb apart and cleaned it. It was better, but still lean and wanted to run at half choke. Blowing the jets out wasn't good enough, so I bought a HF ultrasonic and that worked better.

Back together and it is better. It's not hunting near as much at full throttle (no choke) but it still surging a bit. THere's no adjustment on these other than idle. Any suggestions?

Pics attached. I did buy a replacement (exact same one) but figured I might play with this a bit since there isn't any snow.

Post by leemn on Jan 28, 2019 10:08:00 GMT -5

A big thanks goes out to the wonderful state of California for epa bull$hit that gives us small engine carbs with fixed jets that you cannot adjust for weather 🤬 I bet your engine is really a Techumseh, a friend had one with the same issues!, no permanent fix!...

Post by brianjenkins on Jan 28, 2019 10:18:22 GMT -5

A big thanks goes out to the wonderful state of California for epa bull$hit that gives us small engine carbs with fixed jets that you cannot adjust for weather 🤬 I bet your engine is really a Techumseh, a friend had one with the same issues!, no permanent fix!...

Lee😉

I think it's a Techumseh clone, but it's made by MTD now. Dad's got an old JD with a Techumseh and it was a whole lot stronger (and smaller engine) than mine.

I wasn't sure if anything can be drilled out to give it a little more fuel. I figured this one is pretty much junked if I screw it up

Post by gmcjr on Jan 28, 2019 10:40:11 GMT -5

A big thanks goes out to the wonderful state of California for epa bull$hit that gives us small engine carbs with fixed jets that you cannot adjust for weather 🤬 I bet your engine is really a Techumseh, a friend had one with the same issues!, no permanent fix!...

Post by oilleaker1 on Jan 28, 2019 14:38:16 GMT -5

My MTD snowblower surged. The carb had been gummed up from sitting with ethanol regular grade too long. What I found was a very tiny orifice in the side of the brass main jet that was plugged. I mean TINY. I used a propane pilot orifice reamer or broach to clean it out. Runs perfect now. Maybe this is where your surging is coming from. Check that tiny hole. Oilly